A Chair for My Mother

A Chair for My Mother

            Posted by Joanne Rivera

Title: A Chair for My Mother

Author and Illustrator: Vera B. Williams

Recommended Grade Level: K-2

Common Core Standards Addressed:

CCSS. Math. Content.1.MD.3 Recognize and identify coins, their names, and their value.

Social Studies Framework: 1.10 People make economic choices as producers and consumers of goods and services. 1.10d People make decisions about how to spend and save the money they earn.

CCSS. ELA.Literacy. RL1.3 Describe characteristics, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

 Synapsis: After a fire destroys their home and possessions, Rosa and her family begin saving coins in a big jar so that they could afford to buy a big, comfortable armchair. 

Rating: *****

This book is ideal in explaining economic system, specifically with earning and saving money. It also provides opportunity for students to becoming familiar with the concept of saving.

Classroom Ideas:

-Teachers can design lessons based on economics, saving “coins” and working in small groups to decide priced items to purchase in the classroom. This will provide opportunities for students to become familiarized with and identify coins and their values. Next steps could include scaffolding by having students exchange coins for bills-expanding their comprehension of currency.